Bob Tullius: A Legacy in Motorsports
March 2026 – Robert Charles “Bob” Tullius, a seminal figure in American motorsports, passed away at the age of 95. His career spanned over six decades, beginning with his post-World War II service in the U.S. Air Force and later a role at Kodak before he dove into racing.
In 1960, Tullius made his racing debut with a Triumph TR3, winning at his graduation from a racing school. This marked the beginning of several successful years in club racing and led to the founding of Group 44 Inc. in 1965 alongside mechanic Brian Fuerstenau and advertising executive Dick Gilmartin. Group 44 became a pioneer in professional motorsports marketing, establishing a cohesive team image that attracted significant sponsorships.
Under Tullius’s stewardship, Group 44 achieved over 300 race victories across SCCA, IMSA GTP, and Trans Am competitions, securing 14 national championships and three Trans Am titles. Bob not only led the team but also actively competed in more than 250 races across various car models.
The team became synonymous with British GT vehicles, notably Triumphs including the Spitfire and GT6, culminating in a Sebring class win with the TR8 in 1980. Tullius’s association with Jaguar brought further accolades, including the development of the E-Type and XJS, leading to the landmark return of Jaguar to Le Mans with the XJR-5 prototype. This vehicle dominated IMSA GTP competition and clinched a class victory at Le Mans in 1985.
Despite Group 44’s eventual transition away from the Jaguar program in favor of TWR’s designs, Tullius’s impact on the sport remained significant. The team continued to achieve success, winning a third Trans-Am title in 1988 with Hurley Haywood at the wheel of an Audi 200 Quattro.
Tullius’s contributions to motorsport were recognized with multiple Hall of Fame inductions, including the Sebring Hall of Fame (2014), SCCA Hall of Fame (2015), British Sports Car Hall of Fame (2017), Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2018), and the IMSA Hall of Fame (2025). Plans are underway to honor his memory at the upcoming 12 Hours of Sebring.
He is survived by his daughter, daughter-in-law, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a vast network of friends in the motorsport community.
Condolences from the motorsports community are extended to his family.
